Bolton 5K benefits White Family

On a run several days after the Boston Marathon bombing, a group of local runners was thinking about what they could do to help the victims, including a local family.

That was nothing new for Bolton resident Elizabeth Davis-Edwards and her friends, who had already banded together to help others, including a school in Ecuador.

“As we were running, it made sense to do a 5K,” she said. “It was just natural.”

They put the word out in Bolton, had their first meeting and, by the next week, the plans were in the works.

The group of runners generally work out, starting bright and early at 5:30 each morning, a cross-fit workout group that Davis-Edwards said has evolved into good friends focused on a goal: “Strengthen our bodies and ourselves and strengthen others.”

On June 1, the Bolton Rally for Boston will welcome others to run with them as they remember the victims of the bombing and raise funds for bomb victims.

The proceeds of the rally will go primarily to the White family of Bolton, a mother, father and adult son injured when the bombs went off April 15 near the finish line.

Davis-Edwards said the group hopes for about 500 runners in the event, which includes a run, walk and a 1K for children.

The event starts at 3:30 p.m. with a 15-minute memorial service at Nashoba Regional High School. The 5K begins at 4 p.m., with a 1 Mile Kids Rally beginning just before. Awards go to the top three finishers in every age category; children in the 12 and under walk all get T-shirts. The first 250 to register for the race get free T-shirts; after that, T-shirts will be available for purchase.

The event will also include music and refreshments following the race.

Davis-Edwards said the White family will be in attendance, and Kevin White plans to speak.

Even for those who don’t run, there will be an opportunity to win raffle prizes as they cheer on others. Direct donations to the funds can also be accepted.

“People have been wonderful,” Davis-Edwards said, with generous donations by sponsors, from raffle contributions and runner’s prizes to medals and the basics of putting on a fundraiser, such as donations in police details and waived fees.

“It’s good to see the communities come together,” Davis-Edwards said. “It’s a good example of a lot of good things that happened as a result of something horrible.”

To register before the event or get more information, go to

The fundraiser follows numerous local running events in which funds have been donated to the White family and a fund for the bombing victims, from raffle proceeds at the Tribute Road Race to Thursday’s Clinton Runs for Boston. Runners and communities throughout the state have come together to help their friends and neighbors, survivors who have a long road ahead as they recover from the injuries suffered that day.